Double door astragal

ABSTRACT

An astragal for covering the vertical seam between a pair of double doors, said astragal having a hinge portion secured to one of said doors along the seam with a leaf portion rotatably secured to the hinge portion and spring loaded and cam actuated to automatically cover and uncover the seam when either of the doors is opened or closed.

I Umted States Patent [151 3,653,155 de Brun n Jr. et al. 1 A r. 4 1972 [54] DOUBLE DOOR ASTRAGAL v 3,131,441 5/1964 Cornell ..49/314 x [72] Inventors: KopS Paul de Bnmyn Jr. Orinda; vie 251,591 12/1881 Jaeger .l6/l80 tor J. Rivers, San Leandro, both of Calif. Primary ExaminerKenneth Downey [73] Ass1gnee: Pemko Manufacturlng Co. Anomey Bmce & McCoy [22] Filed: Apr. 3, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 25,431 [57] ABSTRACT An astragal for covering the vertical seam between a pair of 52] U S Cl 49/313 49/368 double doors, said astragal having a hinge portion secured to [51] u "1266b 7/20 one of said doors along the seam with a leaf portion rotatably 58 Field oiQQiQiiII "43/368,362, 303, 310,311, Secured the hinge W and Spring waded and Cam 49 313 314; 1 /192 130 ated to automatically cover and uncover the seam when either of the doors is opened or closed. I 56] References Cited 3 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAPR 4 I972 3,653,155

sum 1 0F 2 INVENTOR. PAUL F. DE BRUYN KOPSJr.

BY VICTOR J. RIVERS PATENTEUAPR 4 I972 3,653,155

sum 2 OF 2 INVENTOR. PAUL F. DE BRUYN KOPS Jr.

BY VICTOR J. RIVERS DOUBLE noon ASTRAGAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to astragals and more particularly to an astragal for covering the vertical seam between a pair of double doors both of which can only be opened inward from the closed position.

2. Description of the Prior Art While certain double door astragals are presently known, none appear to be related to the present invention. The devices most similar to the present invention are automatic weather strips for the bottoms of doors. The most closely related known prior art to the present invention is US. Pat. No. 3,131,441 for WEATHER STRIP by G. W. Cornell issued May 5, 1964. However, that device of that patent will not perform the function of a double door astragal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a double door astragal for covering the seam between a pair of abutting doors both of which can only be opened inward from the closed position. The astragal comprises: a fixed hinge member secured to the first of the doors on the outward side thereof along the edge of the door forming the seam; a partially rotatable leaf member engaged with the hinged member in a rotatable relationship to permit the leaf member to rotate between the closed position covering the seam and an open position to permit the leaf member to clear the second of the doors when the first door is opened; a torsion spring concealed internally of either said hinge or said leaf member and urging said leaf member toward the open position; and means formed to rotate the leaf member from the open position to the closed position when the first of the doors is closed.

It is therefore an important object of the present invention to provide an automatically actuated double door astragal for covering and sealing the seam between a pair of abutting doors.

It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a new and novel concealed spring means for actuating the double door astragal and which also locks the elements of the astragal in operating alignment.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and novel cam means to actuate the double door astragal when the door to which the astragal is attached is closed.

And it is still another object of the present invention to provide a relatively inexpensive, rugged, and simple double door astragal which can be easily installed on a double door assembly to effectively cover and seal the seam between the doors irrespective of which door is opened or closed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a double door installation showing the astragal of the present invention in the closed operating position;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view shown in partial section along line 22 of FIG. 1 showing the astragal with the doors in the closed position;

FIG. 3 is the top plan view in partial section taken along line 22 of FIG. 1 showing the astragal with the second door open and the first door closed;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view shown in partial section taken along line 22 of FIG. 1 showing the astragal with the first door open and the second door closed;

FIG. 5 is a bottom elevation of the double door astragal of the present invention shown in the closed position and apart from the doors;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the torsion spring of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a broken-out view of that portion of the astragal shown encircled by line 7 in FIG. 5 with the two sections of the astragal separated;

FIG. 8 is a broken-out view of that portion of the astragal shown encircled by line 8 in FIG. 5 with the two sections of the astragal separated;

FIG. 9 is a bottom elevation of the astragal being assembled in the open position;

FIG. 10 is a bottom elevation of the double door astragal being assembled in the open position with the spring member biased and sliding on the hinge member prior to interlocking therewith; and

FIG. 11 is a bottom elevation of the astragal showing the hinge member fully assembled and interlocked in an open position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention is a double door astragal 21 for covering the vertical seam 23 formed by a pair of abutting doors 25, 27 in which the free vertical edges 29, 31 of the doors are disposed adjacent each other and where both of the doors can only be opened inward from a closed position.

A hinge member 33 is secured to the first of the doors 25 on the outward side thereof along the vertical edge 29 of the door forming the seam. The hinge member includes a generally semi-circular hood portion 35 extending generally the length of the hinge member. The hood portion of the hinge member is connected by a web portion 37 to a base portion 39. The base portion in turn is secured by screws or other fastening means along the edge of the door forming the seam.

A partially rotatable leaf member 41 is disposed in captured relation within the hinge member 33. The leaf member rotates like an unattached leaf of a two-leaf hinge but with restricted movement. The captured relation and rotatability is effected by the leaf member having a generally circular bearing portion 43 which is disposed within the hood portion of the hinge member. The bearing portion of the leaf member includes a longitudinal slot 45 extending at least a portion of the length thereof.

The leaf member 41 is rotatable between a closed position which covers the seam 23 formed between the abutting doors and an open position which permits the leaf member to clear the second of the doors 27 when the first door is open. The angle of rotation between the open and closed positions is approximately At least one cam 47 is secured at one end of the door seam to either the floor or to the door header 49, or a cam can be secured to each of both. If the astragal is broken into two portions, because of door knobs or other hardware in the middle of the door, it is necessary that a second cam be used whereby cams must be located both at the top of the seam on the door header and on the floor.

The cam includes a pillow block 51 having a generally semicircular curved striker portion 53 disposed adjacent the seam formed by the doors. The striker portion is arranged to engage generally tangentially the leading edge 55 of the leaf member when the leaf member is in the open position. The curved portion of the cam is formed to guide the leading edge 55 of the leaf member around the curved striker surface to a closed position when the first door is closed. The cam member is secured to the header of the door or to the floor by means of screws 57 which project through elongated slots 59 in the cam and which permit adjustment of the cam member when it is installed.

A torsion spring 61 is disposed in the longitudinal slot 45 of the bearing portion of the leaf member. The spring includes generally right angle hooks 63, 65 bent into the spring at each end thereof. The hook 63 at one end of the spring 61 engages a hole 67 which is formed in the bottom of the slot 45 in the bearing portion of the leaf member, and the hook 65 at the other end of the spring 61 engages a groove 69 formed in the web portion 37 of the hinge member. The spring is biased to urge the leaf member toward an open position.

Reference is made to the drawings for an understanding of the construction and operation of the invention. FIG. 1 shows the double door astragal secured to the first of the two doors by a series of spaced screws and being held in a closed position by the cam. The doors are hinged to the door frame at their removed opposite edges and the free vertical edges of the doors are disposed adjacent each other.

FIG. 2 is a plan view in partial section looking down at the top of the doors along line 22 of FIG. 1. The hinge member of the preferred embodiment, as well as the leaf member, is a uniform cross section aluminum extrusion. The base portion of the hinge member is secured to the outward side of the door adjacent to the vertical edge thereof which forms the abutting seam. A web portion is formed on that edge of the base portion which is located adjacent to the edge of the door. The web connects the hood portion of the hinge member to the base portion.

The leaf member is disposed in captured rotatable relation within the hood portion of the hinge member. This is effected by means of a bearing portion which is secured to the leaf member by a web section. The slot in the bearing portion of the leaf member permits the torsion spring which actuates the astragal to be disposed internally thereof.

The second door is shown in FIG. 2 in closed position and the seal between the door and the astragal is effected by means of a preformed pliable vinyl insert 71. The leaf member is maintained in its closed position by the cam member which is shown with the end of its curved striker portion abutting the outside face of the leaf member and holding it in a closed position.

FIG. 3 is from the same perspective as FIG. 2 and shows that the astragal remains in a closed position when the second of the doors is operated. In normal operation, the second door will be the door which is usually utilized for entrance and egress. In other words, the first door is designated as the door which will receive the least use so that the astragal will experience the least amount ofactuation.

FIG. 4 is also from the same perspective as FIG. 2 and shows the operation of the astragal when the first door is utilized and the second door remains closed. As the first door is opened, the astragal rotates to the open position. The leaf member is rotated to that position by the torsion spring. When the door is closed, the leading edge of the leaf member approaches generally tangentially the curved striker surface of the cam member. As the door is closed further, the leaf strikes the curved portion of the cam and rotates counter-clockwise around the surface of the cam member until it is rotated to the closed position as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a view of the bottom of the astragal in the closed position as shown in FIG. 2. The lower member in the illustration is the leaf member with the vinyl strip, and the upper member is the hinge member. When the hinge is closed, all that can be seen of the spring member is the end of the hook at the end of the spring which engages the groove in the web of the hinge member.

FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of the astragal in the closed position with the two members separated. The leaf member has been slid longitudinally out of the hinge member to show the hole which is formed in the bottom of the slot through the bearing portion.

FIG. 8 is also a bottom view of the astragal with the two members separated. It shows the groove in the web of the hinge member for engaging the hook at the other end of spring member. Also visible in FIG. 8 is a slot which is cut in one sidewall of the bearing portion of the leaf member. This permits the hook end of the spring to rotate when the astragal closes from its open position shown in FIG. 8 to the closed position as shown in FIG. 5. When this rotation occurs, the hook at the end of the spring would otherwise interfere with the sidewall of the bearing portion of the leaf member unless the slot is provided. The slot in the web portion of the hinge member which engages the hook at the end of the spring prevents the leaf member from sliding longitudinally within the hinge member since the other end is locked into the hole formed through the bearing portion of the leaf member.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the astragal during assembly wherein the leaf member is being slid into the hinge member. At the point of assembly shown, the hinge member and the leaf member are rotated approximately with respect to each other in the open position. The hinge member has been rotated into the plane of the paper. As the two members are slid toward an interlocked relation, the spring is in a relaxed position with one hook in the hole in the bottom of the slot and one hook lying in the slot formed in the bearing sidewall. As the hinge member slides toward and reaches the hook of the spring shown disposed in the slot formed in the sidewall, the spring must be rotated upward to rest upon the web portion of the hinge member as shown in FIG. 10 to prevent interference between the spring and the hinge member. The spring member is thereby tensioned to bias the astragal in the open position.

As the two members are further slid together as shown in FIG. 10, the spring member rides under tension along the web of the hinge member until it drops into the groove formed in the web of the hinge member. This locates the leaf member longitudinally with respect to the hinge member. Thus, the spring functions in two ways: first, to provide the spring means which maintains the astragal in the open position when it is unrestrained in any other position; and second, the spring effects a sliding lock which prevents longitudinal displacement of the leaf member with respect to the hinge member.

FIG. 1 l is taken from the same perspective as FIG. 5 except that in FIG. 5 the hinge member is rotated upward into the plane of the paper to the closed position while in FIG. 11 the leaf member is in the same position as in FIG. 5, but the hinge member has been rotated downward into the plane of the paper into the open position. FIG. 11 shows the astragal with the two hooks of the spring disposed in their respective positions within the astragal; the left-hand end of the spring projecting through the hole formed through the bottom of the slot in the bearing portion of the leaf member and the other end of the spring engaged with the groove formed in the web of the hinge member.

In addition to the combination of elements forming the astragal of the present invention, there are aiso two sub-components of this invention which are also new and novel. The first is the cam which efifectuates the operation of the astragal. The second is the concealed torsion spring which effects the opening operation of the astragal as well as maintaining the longitudinal displacement of the hinge and leaf members with respect to each other.

The present invention provides a simple yet effective astragal for covering the seam between double doors and which, because of the simple rugged design and construction, operates effectively for a long service life. In this regard, it is believed that the present invention is a new and novel improvement in the field of astragals for double doors.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description of the invention in the preferred form that it will fulfill all the objects attributable thereto. While the invention has been illustrated and described in considerable detail, it is not to be limited to such details as have been set forth.

We claim:

1. A double door astragal for covering the seam between a pair of abutting doors both of which can only be opened inward from the closed position, said astragal comprising a hinge member secured to the first of said doors on the outward side thereof along the edge of said door forming said seam, said member including a generally semi-circular hood portion extending generally the length of said member,

a leaf member having a generally circular bearing portion disposed in partially rotatable captured relation within the hood portion of said hinge member, said bearing portion of said leaf member including a longitudinal slot extending for at least a portion of the length thereof, said leaf member being rotatable between a closed position covering said seam and an open position to permit said leaf member to clear the second of said doors when said first door is opened,

at least one cam secured at one end of the door seam to either the floor or the door header or both and having a curved striker portion to cause at least a portion of one end of said leaf member to slide along said curved portion and rotate said leaf member from the open to the closed position when said first door is closed; and

a torsion spring disposed in the longitudinal slot of the bearhook portion projecting through the circular bearing and abuttingly engaging a slot at one side of said hood, said elongated body portion of said spring being under constant torsion and normally urging said hinge and leaf members into angular relation, said terminal hook portions preventing relative longitudinal movement between said hinge and leaf members.

2. A double door astragal as set forth in claim 1 in which said hinge and leaf members include abutment portions limiting relative pivotal movement to approximately 3. The double door astragal as set forth in claim 2 in which said hinge member includes a web portion connected to a base portion secured to the door, said leaf member including a plate portion integral with said bearing portion and coplanar with said base portion when said doors are closed, said plate portion including seal means for engaging the second of said doors when the doors are in a closed position.

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1. A double door astragal For covering the seam between a pair of abutting doors both of which can only be opened inward from the closed position, said astragal comprising a hinge member secured to the first of said doors on the outward side thereof along the edge of said door forming said seam, said member including a generally semi-circular hood portion extending generally the length of said member, a leaf member having a generally circular bearing portion disposed in partially rotatable captured relation within the hood portion of said hinge member, said bearing portion of said leaf member including a longitudinal slot extending for at least a portion of the length thereof, said leaf member being rotatable between a closed position covering said seam and an open position to permit said leaf member to clear the second of said doors when said first door is opened, at least one cam secured at one end of the door seam to either the floor or the door header or both and having a curved striker portion to cause at least a portion of one end of said leaf member to slide along said curved portion and rotate said leaf member from the open to the closed position when said first door is closed; and a torsion spring disposed in the longitudinal slot of the bearing portion of said leaf member and engaging said hinge and leaf member and urging the leaf member toward an open position, said torsion spring comprising an elongated body portion having substantially diametrically opposed terminal hook portions, said elongated body portion extending lengthwise in said longitudinal slot and covered by said hood portion, one terminal hook portion extending through an aperture extending through said circular bearing and communicating with said slot, the other hook portion projecting through the circular bearing and abuttingly engaging a slot at one side of said hood, said elongated body portion of said spring being under constant torsion and normally urging said hinge and leaf members into angular relation, said terminal hook portions preventing relative longitudinal movement between said hinge and leaf members.
 2. A double door astragal as set forth in claim 1 in which said hinge and leaf members include abutment portions limiting relative pivotal movement to approximately 90*.
 3. The double door astragal as set forth in claim 2 in which said hinge member includes a web portion connected to a base portion secured to the door, said leaf member including a plate portion integral with said bearing portion and coplanar with said base portion when said doors are closed, said plate portion including seal means for engaging the second of said doors when the doors are in a closed position. 